JAKARTA - The World Health Organization (WHO) is advising people not to mix and match COVID-19 vaccines from different manufacturers, calling it a "dangerous trend" as more data on health impacts are needed.

"There is a bit of a dangerous trend here. It will be a chaotic situation in countries if citizens start deciding when and who to take the second, third, and fourth doses", said WHO chief scientist, Soumya Swaminathan.

Swaminathan called vaccine mixing "not data-driven", but the WHO clarified its statement, saying that some data was already available and more data was expected.

The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on vaccines in June said Pfizer's vaccine could be used as a second dose after the initial AstraZeneca dose if the latter dose is not available.

Results of further clinical trials led by the University of Oxford, which will see the mixing of AstraZeneca and Pfizer and Moderna and Novovax vaccines, are ongoing.

"Data from mixed and compatibility studies of different vaccines are pending, the immunogenicity and safety of both need to be evaluated", the WHO said in emailed comments.

It should be public health agencies that make decisions, based on available data, and not individuals, the WHO said.


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